Gunbreaking Question

I've seen a few methods. Any advice for gunbreaking while training ALONE?

I have in my possession one kimar primer pistol, training dummies, and a single dummy launcher.

The other day i walked about 50 yards away from my dog (he's under sit command) and used the dummy launcher firing away from me and the dog. When the bumper hit the ground I sent him on his name while still standing 50 yards away. Did that twice without issue. He didn't break or show any signs of shyness.

I am thinking that today or tomorrow I hook him to a tie out stake(to keep him from breaking). Start at 100 yards away from him with the starter pistol and hand thrown dummy. Then walk back to him, unhook him and send him on his name. Steadily working closer and closer to him.

Thoughts/advice?

I am assuming this a retriever.

I took my pup for a romp in the fields. I started with a cap gun. When she was having fun and not paying attention to me I would fire the cap gun and continue with my business as if nothing happened. She was off leash and at a distance. I did this and graduated from the cap gun, to the starter pistol, blanks, then 12ga. I even worked in closer as time passed. Basically she just thought it was something that happened.

I would be a little afraid to tie a dog down. If it feels confined, it may cause it to be afraid. I am no retriever trainer, so the pros may have a better suggestion.

What i did when mine were young is id clap loud before feeding time or before giving them a treat and then as they got older i got louder with hitting bowls together and cap guns... trying to associate loud noise with good things... worked well for my dogs

100 yards on a starter pistol seems to be a bit much. If he didn't shy at 50 yards, I don't see the reason to back off more. Also, the long delay between shot & release may be too long for him to associate the shot with the retrieve.

I took my 8 week old to the parking lot of a gun range, rolled down the windows, and we hung out for a while we did that multiple times I also shot a starter pistol near her while she was eating. She did fine with both and never had a problem with the big guns.

I think you are doing the right thing by teaching your dog to associate the noise with a retrieve, rather than just teaching him to not be bothered by noise. It would be best if you had some one to help, but I know how training by your self can be. You might get a long check cord and loop one end around through the stake to stope the dog from breaking and when you release your dog let go of the line so it can run through the stake without you having to walk over to un-hook your dog.

I just took mine with me when ever I was going to shoot my rifle out at my uncles place he has a kennel on the opposite side of his house from his deck (where we shoot from) and he would sit in the kennel with my uncles dogs (who aren't gun shy )I guess he learned from them. Now my wife's dog will run for cover at a loud fart, but she wasn't around guns as a pup.

what age did you start this training?

Now shooting over him with the starter pistol. Blanks in the 12 GA are next.

Good advice here guys and gals. He is doing well - Thanks.

@kdub - Great idea about the stake versus tying him down. I didn't think of that one.

Me and Finn have been watching a Duck Commander DVD cranked as loud as my stereo will go. Maybe that has helped?

I think so. If Duck Commander can't scare him, NOTHING can! lol

Easy way we start young dogs and refresh our dogs prior to season
in Bandera is carrying them to the Gun Club on Wed Nite Skeet..
If shy, leave m in the vehicle....Not much work...My 2 yr old GSP came up noise sensitive this yr...Worked like a charm, had
him retrieving and playing by end of evening while everyone was
shooting, not 10 yds away...Gunshy...never seen it broken..22 back of the head...My dad did have a Rip Rap Pointer that was
bird shy...Finally corrected herself couldn't stand not hunting..
Good Hunting...this craps' expensive...

Buck's First year I had my son about a month before season open.
had Buck sit moved over about 20yards or so and shot a 20g after the shot called Buck to him and gave him a reward did that almost every day and move closer each time by the time season started he was ready to go. That is how we did it. Now sandy did not need to be tought when it became her time to go hunting she did not care what niose was made as long as she got to go.